Big Bear Lake Tour
The four seasons of Big Bear are sharply defined. Springtime in the Valley brings a dramatic respite from winter’s snowy grip, as Big Bear Lake begins to swell from the melting runoff. The mountain and desert wildflowers break free and the birds who migrated to warmer climates for the winter, come home to prepare nests for their young. During this season the days are still balmy while the nights bring back a wintry chill and the sky fills with the glitter of the Milky Way.
The vernal equinox brings the hikers as well, who tramp along the ridges and through the woods to get a close-up view of the miraculous cycle of life. The Pacific Crest Trail alone winds through nearly 40 miles of pine forest and mountainside where hikers can take in spectacular views of the entire valley.
Great Hiking Opportunies in the San Bernardino National Forest!
On Big Bear Lake, the mantle of opaque winter ice gives way to hundreds of anglers ready to harvest the bounty of fish that awaits. The softening snow-pack on the slopes provides classic spring conditions where skiers and snow boarders can get an early tan as they enjoy the last few runs of the ski season.
As spring ripens into summer, the Valley becomes a haven for thousands of families and couples who come to take in the Valley at its most diverse. The lake becomes astir with boats of all kinds and shapes, the fisherman gather along the best spots on the north shore, and great flocks of pelicans assemble for their yearly wading and feeding rituals.
For children, Big Bear in the summer is a delight. Along with nature hikes, boat rides, Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain and afternoons on the swim beach, kids get to ride horses through the forest and across the desert chaparral, tell scary tales around the campfire and visit the Moonridge Zoo for a good look at the native Big Bear Valley wildlife.
For adults, Big Bear provides the perfect relief from the travails of modern life. Lodging –from the rustic, cozy cabins to luxurious hotel suites –proliferates throughout the Valley with prices to fit any budget.
Summer sports facilities include ample public tennis courts and a nine-hole golf course featuring two par-five holes, water hazards, plush greens and treacherous gullies. Mountain-biking comes into its own in summertime as well, including the opening of the Snow Summit chair lifts to carry cyclists to the peak for thrilling two-wheel descents. There are more than 750 miles of mountain-biking trails in Big Bear Valley and its surrounding peaks.
As summer grows older, the mornings find the Valley coated with dew as the birds and squirrels begin to stock up for winter in earnest. Even the light changes, describing shapes in ever finer detail as autumn settles in, while oaks, aspens and other deciduous trees take on hues of magenta and yellow and beds of pine needle gather on the forest floor.
By the end of December winter descends once again on the Valley, with the first heavy snow likely to have already fallen. But by then the ski slopes will be well packed with man-made snow, so regardless of the temperament of the elements, long planned holidays will not be endangered. During the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, the Valley provides some 100,000 visitors a day, ready to take advantage of the finest winter sports facilities in Southern California and otherwise enjoy the Southland’s most delightful winter wonderland.
Besides snowshoeing, sledding, tubing, and cross-country skiing, Big Bear’s two Resorts, Bear Mountain and Snow Summit, provide miles of downhill slopes from beginner to moderate black diamond. This, and much more, make Big Bear Southern California’s premier winter resort.
Mountain View
The great geological movement that piled the San Bernardino Mountain range high onto the desert floor many millions of years ago has left the modern paradise called Big Bear Valley. A natural oasis of beauty, Big Bear offers a huge variety of recreational opportunities. Be it spring or summer, winter or fall, it’s always the perfect time to be in Big Bear Valley.
For every season, there’s Big Bear!
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Tags: Big Bear, Fishing, Hiking, Mountain Pictures, National Forest, San Bernardino Mountains, Skiing, Snowboarding
